White Hair Beside the Crown
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 2
Doha 2 · Movement 1 of 2
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The royal court of Ayodhya stands in ordered splendour. Kings, ministers, guardians, and elders fill the pillared hall while Dasharatha sits beneath the white canopy of the Raghus. Reports of Ram's fame move through the assembly, and joy rises in the old king with each word. Across the three worlds, Tulsidas says, no father is more fortunate than the one whose son is the root of all auspiciousness.
In an unguarded moment, Dasharatha lifts a mirror. He looks upon his face and straightens the crown. Gold settles again above his brow, but near his ears a few white hairs have appeared. The court continues around him, unaware that time has entered the hall in silence and taken its place beside the throne.
The pale strands carry counsel more penetrating than ceremony. Crown Ram as Yuvaraja. Receive the true fruit of this life while breath remains. The king lowers the mirror, and what began as a small gesture becomes the turning of Ayodhya's destiny.
The crown is straight, but the white hairs have spoken.
Read the passage from the Manas
एक समय सब सहित समाजा। राजसभाँ रघुराजु बिराजा।। सकल सुकृत मूरति नरनाहू। राम सुजसु सुनि अतिहि उछाहू।। नृप सब रहहिं कृपा अभिलाषें। लोकप करहिं प्रीति रुख राखें।। तिभुवन तीनि काल जग माहीं। भूरि भाग दसरथ सम नाहीं।। मंगलमूल रामु सुत जासू। जो कछु कहिज थोर सबु तासू।। रायँ सुभायँ मुकुरु कर लीन्हा। बदनु बिलोकि मुकुट सम कीन्हा।। श्रवन समीप भए सित केसा। मनहुँ जरठपनु अस उपदेसा।। नृप जुबराज राम कहुँ देहू। जीवन जनम लाहु किन लेहू।।
One day, the king of the Raghus sat in his royal court with his entire assembly gathered around him. The king, the very embodiment of all virtuous deeds, felt immense joy hearing the glorious fame of Rama. All other kings lived in hope of his grace, and the guardians of the world honored his wishes with love. In all three worlds and throughout all time, there is no one as fortunate as King Dasharatha. He whose son is Rama, the very root of all blessing: whatever praise one offers of such a father falls short. The king, quite naturally, picked up a mirror and, gazing at his face, straightened his crown. White hairs had appeared near his ears, as if old age itself were giving this counsel: "O King, bestow the crown-prince title upon Rama. Why not reap the true reward of this life and this birth?"